Eastern Kentucky University’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine receives funding through passage of House Bill 900

Eastern Kentucky University’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine has received funding thanks to the Kentucky General Assembly passing House Bill 900. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation requires an escrow account to be set up for the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine, and House Bill 900 includes $42 million for an escrow account, as well as $8 million in start-up funding.

According to an article on Eastern Kentucky University’s website, university president David McFaddin was quoted as saying of the development, “This is one of multiple important steps in bringing Kentucky’s first public osteopathic medical school to Eastern Kentucky University. The General Assembly’s commitment to this investment reflects an understanding of what is at stake for our communities. More than two million Kentuckians live in medically underserved areas, and nearly all of the state’s 120 counties are designated as health professional shortage areas for primary care. EKU’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine is an important step in addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, and this vital support brings us closer to welcoming our inaugural class.”

McFaddin went on to express gratitude for those who supported the funding, saying, “On behalf of the students, faculty and staff at Eastern Kentucky University, we are so grateful for the broad support of the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. House and Senate Leadership, as well as Senate Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Chris McDaniel and House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Jason Petrie, showed tremendous insight and vision in funding and passing key legislation to help address the current and future healthcare needs of our communities. This investment demonstrates the legislature’s commitment to improving health outcomes in rural and underserved areas across the Commonwealth and EKU is honored to stand with our General Assembly to deliver on this crucial initiative.”

The proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine is being created to help fight the state’s shortage of physicians, and will focus on preparing individuals to work in healthcare in the state’s rural and underserved communities in particular.

Dr. Dustin Devers, who is a family medicine physician with Baptist Health Richmond and is also the Chairman of the EKU College of Osteopathic Medicine Advisory Committee, said of the progress, “The rural healthcare shortage in Kentucky is a continuous challenge for families and puts even more pressure on healthcare providers to hire and train more physicians now and into the future to help fill that gap. As a Richmond-Madison County community member, I am very appreciative of the support from our local legislators, including Rep. Josh Bray, Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon and Senator Jared Carpenter. They recognized EKU’s commitment to be at the forefront of tackling this healthcare challenge and supported this important effort every step of the way.”

Students are also looking forward to the opportunity to become trained to work in the rural communities they’ve grown up in. Junior emergency medical care major Skyler Jones said, “I want to be a doctor because I want to help people. I want to serve rural and underserved parts of Kentucky. I’ve been working in EMS for more than six years and I have witnessed firsthand a lack of medical care in this area. It drives me to push forward to that next step. Approximately 94% of the state’s counties have primary care shortages and EKU is proactively addressing that shortage.” 

For more information about Eastern Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.